International Trade Awards showcase UK’s leading companies

Sponsored by American Express Foreign Exchange Services, the awards, now in their fifth year, recognise the excellence achieved by the UK’s leading exporters and importers.

At a ceremony in London this week keynote speaker Lord Empey of Shandon praised entrepreneurs and said that they should be encouraged and rewarded. He told guests that creating an entrepreneurial mind-set and an understanding of the importance of trade and export at an early age was as vital as learning English and maths’ skills.

The International Trade Award winners were announced by a panel of industry experts , including our Director General, Lesley Batchelor, Allan Biggar, CEO of Xperia Media, Rocco Magno, General Manager FX IP at American Express Europe Limited, Robert Hurley, UKTI London and Michael Wilson, editor and entrepreneur.

Applicants competed in four categories: the Small to Medium Sized Company of the Year, Excellence in Innovation, New Frontiers and Company of the Year.

This year’s worthy winners are:

International Trade Company of the Year Award – Charterhouse

International Trade New Frontiers Award – i2O Water

International Trade Excellence in Innovation Award – Andor Technology

International Trade Small to Medium Sized Company of the Year Award – Angloco

Special Commendation – Hockley International

Lesley Batchelor commented: “We congratulate the winners of these esteemed awards on their success in what is a very challenging and competitive environment. Entrants hail from diverse sectors including manufacturing, technology and consumer brands and all of them demonstrate excellence in their field and fly the flag for the UK in global markets.”

Rocco Magno added: “The standard was incredibly high, particularly for the main award where the judges were torn between some very impressive entries. There were some very difficult choices to make.”